
Qass ~VZ\0 
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Bird Children 

The Little Playmates 
of the Flower Children 



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n^he LiUle Playmaies 
of ifie Flower Gkddren 




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\Mj/r 

.^:jiL^' By 

Elizabeth Gordon 

Drawings by 

M.T.Ross 




Published by 

RF.Volland & Company 

Chicago 



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p. F. Volland & Company |^ r\<y\ \ 



Copyright 1912 f ^ ^^ 

All Rights Reserved ^(^(J^ 



Sixth Edition 



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£CI.A3;^740B 



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C j o all children who love 
J Birds and Flowers, and 
especiallij lo m\j Utile friend 

Dorothy Virginia, 
this book is lovinalij dedicaied. 




FO REWO R D 

IIRDS are only another 
expression of God's love, 
and we are told that not 
even a sparrow shall fall 
to the ground without the notice of 
the Father. 

Birds are poetry come to life and 
set to music. If you should stand 
at the edge of a forest at sundown 
and hear the birds singing their 
good-night songs, hear the sleepy 
little notes grow fainter and fainter 
until the silence came, — then when 
the dusk had deepened, you should 
hear the night birds begin their 
plaintive songs, you would realize 
what a different place our beautiful 
world would be without birds. 

Even in great cities we have 
always some birds. The saucy little 
sparrow, who comes so boldly beg- 
ging crumbs at your window, likes 
the cities best. 



Only very thoughtless people, or 
those who do not understand, would 
harm or frighten a bird. 

They are real little people, and 
I am sure that when you have come 
to know them you will love them as 
much as you have learned to love 
the Flower Children. 

The publishers and the author 
have received so many letters from 
parents commending Flower Child- 
ren for its instructive features, and 
from children, demanding "more" 
delightful play-mates, that they offer 
"Bird Brothers and Sisters," believ- 
ing that '*The little playmates of the 
Flower Children" will prove as wel- 
come visitors as ''The Little Cousins 
of the Fields and Garden." 

The author and the artist wish to 
thank the children for their many 
expressions of interest and for their 
loyal support. 



—ELIZABETH GORDON 
— M. T. ROSS 



/5! BIRD CHILDREN m, 




IR ROOSTER is a noisy chap, 
He wakes you from your morning nap; 
He sleeps but little all night through, 
Crows at eleven, one and two. 



11 






(Cff BIRD CHILDREN m 




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RS. HEN, the kind old dame, 
Always dresses just the same; 
She talks all day about her joys 
And lays nice eggs for girls and boys. 



12 



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lAID GUINEA HEN: "I like to eat 
Three-cornered grains of nice buckwheat; 
I only want good, simple food 
To feed my fluffy little brood." 



13 



/wj BIRD CHILDREN ,Q 




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EAR little, downy GOSLING said: 
"I can't get learning through my head; 
I really don't see what's the use — 
When I grow up I'll be a goose." 



14 



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BIRD CHILDREN m 




SAID FATHER GOOSE: " I think I '11 take 
A stroll this morning to the lake." 
MOTHER GOOSE said: "Then I 11 go, too, 
And maybe take a swim with you." 



15 



© BIRD CHILDREN f^i 



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I AID YELLOW DUCKLING to his brother: 

" Come on, let's hide away from mother," 
But he replied: *' Oh, dear me. No! 
We 'd better not, she 'd worry so." 



16 



f^ BIRD CHILDREN S 




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ONK-HONK, Honk-honk," old 

SNOW GOOSE said, 
"I think tonight we '11 go to bed 
A hundred miles due south from here,- 
The snow is on the way, I fear/' 

17 



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N SHALLOW water MALLARD DUCK 
At fishing sometimes tries his luck; 
At other times he thinks it 's nice 
To nibble at the sweet wild rice. 



18 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN j:r^ 




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ADAM SWAN 'S a graceful lady, 
Likes to float where banks are shady; 
When Father Swan goes out to swim 
He takes the cygnets out with him. 



19 



(03 BIRD CHILDREN 







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OLDEN PHEASANT took a notion 
To take a trip across the ocean, 
Got a nice room at the zoo 
And said he 'd stay a year or two. 



20 



® BIRD CHILDREN ft 




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AKING his family for a walk 
We see old MR. TURKEY COCK; 

He dresses up in colors gay, — 

His wife wears quiet tones of gray. 



21 



/© BIRD CHILDREN ^ 



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LD DOCTOR STORK, the kind old bird, 
Brings the new babies, I have heard; 
If you should ask him, he may bring 
You one to keep, beneath his wing. 



22 



[^ BIRD CHILDREN S 




IR ROOK is English, don't you know? 
Says: "Do not confound me with the Crow.'' 
His family tree is large and old, 
Which makes his manner proud and cold. 



23 



® BIRD CHILDREN r^.' 



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lARADISE BIRD, in her new clothes, 
Said: " They 're expensive, goodness knows ! 
I 'spose, because they were so dear, 
I '11 have to wear them all this year." 

{Red Paradise Bird) 

24 



.@ BIRD CHILDREN ^ 



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EACOCK 'S a bird of much renown 
And wears a lovely cap and gown ; 
They say he 's very, very vain 
And likes to show his sweeping train. 



25 



/(B BIRD CHILDREN 



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AID NIGHTINGALE: " It's not my way 
To practice singing in the day, 
But wait till all the rest are through 
And I will gladly sing for you." 



26 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN 



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ANARY-BIRD said to his mother: 
" Is that bird in the tree my brother? " 
Mama Canary said: "Oh, no! 
He 's just a cousin — wild, you know." 



27 



@ BIRD CHILDREN m 




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RIOLE, flashing wings of flame. 
In the spring like sunshine came, 
Hung his nest away up high 
So his babes could see the sky. 

{OnharJ Oriole) 

28 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN . 







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ALTIMORE ORIOLE, pretty thin g. 
Builds his nest of bits of string; 
He's sociable and likes to stay 
Where people live and children piny. 



29 



® BIRD CHILDREN ^ 



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EADOW LARK has a flute-like voice, 

Sings a song that's very choice; 
Builds his nest low, near the ground, 
With woven grasses arched around. 



30 



/uj- BIRD CHILDREN 



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LACK, solemn-looking Mr. CROW 
Steals the good farmer's corn, you know; 
If you ask why he breaks the laws, 
He answers, wisely: "Caws, caws, caws." 



31 



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03 BIRD CHILDREN m 




RIENDLY little CHICKADEE 
Is just as cunning as can be; 
Upon your window - sill he '11 come 
And thank you kindly for a crumb. 



32 



[^ BIRD CHILDREN /^ 




C 



ARDINAL BIRD wears vivid red, 
He's very amiable, 'tis said; 
He likes fresh fruits and seeds to eat 
And has a song that's very sweet. 



33 



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AGPIE 'S a gossip — that 's the truth - 
A naughty, disobedient youth ; 
We must not judge him, but suppose 
He does the very best he knows. 



34 



/5! BIRD CHILDREN f^ 




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REAT BLUE HERON likes to fly, 
And so he builds his house up high, 
Way in the tops of tallest trees 
Where he lives, happy as you please. 



35 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN 



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OB-O-LINK, among the clover, 
Tells his name over and over; 

He does n't stay North very long 
And when he goes we miss his song. 



36 



@ BIRD CHILDREN |^ 



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NDIGO BUNTING comes in May, 
Saying cheerfully: " I 'm here to stay. 
He's a nice, friendly little thing, 
Willing at any time to sing. 



37 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN ^ 







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AGLE has piercing yellow eyes, 
He 's very strong and very wise ; 
Fie 's king and master over all 
The other birds,' both great and small. 

{Golden Ea^^le) 

38 



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[^ BIRD CHILDREN |^ 




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URKEY BUZZARD, on the wing, 
Is a most graceful-looking thing; 
Like scavengers, who come each day, 
He does much good in his own way. 



39 



[^ BIRD CHILDREN f, 







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ERMILION FLYCATCHER 'S a beauty, 
You'll always find him right on duty; 
Searches for food early and late, 
Bringing it to his pink-clothed mate. 



40 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN m 




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ELLOW WARBLER comes to stay 
Along about the first of May; 
He likes to live by pond or rill 
And builds his nest with care and skill. 



41 






03 BIRD CHILDREN m 





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URLEW runs along the shore, 
To him, perhaps, it's like a floor; 
Whistle, and he will answer you 
Something like this: " Kerloo, Kerloo." 

{Long-BiileU Curle^v) 

42 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN ^S. 




IR PARTRIDGE is a drummer bold, 
You '11 hear him drum when days are cold. 
He says the nicest things tc eat 
Are red thorn apples, ripe and sweet. 

(Rujed Grouse) 

43 



Z® BIRD CHILDREN f^. 




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HE SNOWY HERON'S used to be 
A very fine, large family; 
I tell you this with great regret: 
Men hunt the birds their plumes to get. 



44 



@ BIRD CHILDREN g| 




I AID KING-FISHER: "The choicest dish 
I know of is a fresh caught fish; 
I love to fish, and, if you'll wait, 
I'll get you some — I need no bait." 



45 



0! BIRD CHILDREN ^ 




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ROWN THRASHER is a cheerful bird, 
His sweet, clear carol may be heard 
All through the pleasant summer day; 
We 're sorry when he goes away. 



46 



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AID GOLDFINCH: "I believe in weeds; 
* I live all winter on the seeds; 

In my snug coat of black and gold 

I really do not feel the cold." 



47 



@ BIRD CHILDREN c:^ 



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/^HEER UP, cheer up, it's going to rain," 
^ Sang plump SIR ROBIN, ''but 'tis plain 
We need some moisture for the ground, 
So dinners may be better found." 



48 



/5^ BIRD CHILDREN ,^ 




^LITTING 'round the swimming pool. 
Where the air is nice and cool. 
Red-winged BLACK-BIRD sings in glee: 
"Gloogle-ee, Gloogle-ee-e." 



49 



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UAIL sings a song of sheer delight: 
"Bob White, Bob White, Bob-Bob-Bob White." 
I wonder who Bob White may be 
To whom he calls so merrily. 



50 



/5J BIRD CHILDEEN ;,w. 




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ING-BIRD, like some other boys, 
Likes to make a lot of noise; 
He 's a bit boisterous in play 
And sometimes quarrelsome, they say. 



51 



(S BIRD CHILDREN ^ 




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ATBIRD is good at imitations, 
He mimics all his small relations; 
And, safely perched upon a bough, 
He imitates the cat's " Me - ow." 



52 



® BIRD CHILDREN f^s 



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AID PURPLE MARTIN to his lady: 
" Here 's a house all cool and shady; 
I surely am a lucky swallow — 
This beats my building plans all hollow." 



53 



f^ BIRD CHILDREN 






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"/^HE-WEE, che-wee, che-wee-che-wee," 
^ Said REDSTART, " Will you look at me? 
I do not sing so well by note 
But see my black and orange coat!" 

[American Redstart) 

54 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN §| 




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ITH a flash of bright-hued wing, 
BLUEBIRD comes to say it's spring; 
Sets about to build his nest 
Upon the tree which suits him best. 



55 



@ BIRD CHILDREN 







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ITTLE SIR SCREECH OWL and his wife 
Live such a cheerful, useful life; 
They nest among the apple trees, 
Saying: " May we eat the bugs here, please ? " 



56 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN f^)) 




*TT 7HO, WHO, who, who ?" asks SIR BARN OWL, 
^ When he comes out at dusk to prowl; 
He has great shiny yellow eyes, 
And looks so very, very wise. 



57 



/g3" BIRD CHILDREN ^t 




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STRICPrS cousin, CASSOWARY, 
Wears a coat peculiar, very; 
It's half like feathers, half like hair,- 
There 's not one like it anywhere. 



58 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN S 




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STRICH grows to be immense 
But has so very little sense, 
For when an enemy 's at hand 
He covers up his head with sand. 



59 



'S^ BIRD CHILDREN | 



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AID PENGUIN, pensively, one day: 
" Come, fishie dear, come out and play,' 
But fishie answered, in a fright: 
" I 've heard about your appetite." 



60 



(QJ BIRD CHILDREN fM 




ALBATROSS has wings so strong 

That he could fly the whole day long; 
But if he 's tired, he can float 
Upon the waves, just like a boat. 



61 



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HE dainty MISSES PARRAKEET 
Dress all in green and look so sweet; 
From South America they came 
And " Love Bird " is their other name. 

(Red-Faced LoDtbirds) 

62 



@ BIRD CHILDREN ^ 




H 



UMMING BIRD, the dainty thing. 
Has no voice and cannot sing, 
He lives daintily, and sips 
Honey from the flowers' lips. 

{Ruby Throated Humming Bird) 
63 



@ BIRD CHILDREN 0^^ 




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ERE'S a good joke about SPOONBILL; 
Never had hair and never will; 
His head is absolutely bare, — 
He 's happy though — he doesn 't care. 

(^Roseate Spoonbill) 

64 



(S BIRD CHILDREN t 







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ADAME IBIS, stately bird, 
Stands and thinks without a word; 
She can't forget that long ago 
She was a sort of cjueen, you know. 

[Scarlet Ibis) 

65 



/w^ BIRD CHILDREN f 







ANDPIPER lives beside the water 
With her little son and daughter; 
Shows the cunning little brood 
Exactly where to look for food. 

(Least Sandpiper) 

66 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN ,^ 




AID STORMY PETREL: "This is fine! 
I do enjoy the gale called 'line'; 
No matter how the storm may thicken 
It just suits ' Mother Carey's Chicken.' " 



67 



/yl BIRD CHILDREN 









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I AID fussy MADAM COCKATOO 

" I always find enough to do; 
I 'm such a busy, useful dame, 
I know these folks are glad I came." 



68 



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CS^ BIRD CHILDREN ^^^ 



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lARROT'S a very wise old bird, 
She can speak English well, I've heard; 
Laughs and says in manner jolly: 
'' Have you a cracker for Miss Polly?'' 

{Gray Parrot) 

69 



[kQ BIRD CHILDREN cp 








\ DREADFUL thief is old BLUE JAY, 
He robs the other birds, they say; 
He wears a handsome suit of blue. 
And calls a gay "Good-day" to youo 



70 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN M 



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PARROW'S an Englishman, I'm told, 
His manners are both rude and bold; 
Other birds wish he 'd go away, 
But he says: "No, I've come to stay." 



71 



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T EVENING, when the world is still, 
Mournfully sings the WHIP-POOR-WILL; 
In his brown suit, all trimmed with white, 
He slips so softly through the night. 



72 



/5! BIRD CHILDREN ,§! 




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AVE SWALLOW, in his nest of clay, 
Always has lots of things to say; 
He and his brothers often race, 
Catching the insects 'round the place. 



73 



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EA DOVE, sometimes called " Little Auk,' 
Flies very little, likes to walk; 
He wears a coat of feathers warm 
And doesn't seem to mind the storm. 



74 



/5J BIRD CHILDREN ^ 




L 



OON is a fearless diver bold, 
He does n't mind the heat or cold ; 
He dives and swims — oh, very far, 
And then bobs up and laughs " Ha-Ha!" 



75 



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BIRD CHILDREN 







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OCKING BIRD is very clever, 
Uses her own notes hardly ever, 
But saucily sings bits of song 
Which to the other birds belong. 



76 



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DEAR, dear me!" WOOD-PECKER said, 
"The birds all shout at me, 'Redhead'; 
It makes me feel so very sad. 
No wonder that my temper's bad!" 



77 



(^ BIRD CHILDREN 



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O SAVE his little home from harm, 
CRESTED FLYCATCHER has a charm 
He finds and places in his nest 
A piece of Mr. Snake's old vest. 



78 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN ^ 







I 



VORY- BILLED WOODPECKER said 

" Dear me! 
They're cutting down my family tree; 
Where can I live, I 'd like to know, 
If men will spoil the forest so?" 

79 



® BIRD CHILDREN 



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X TIGHT HAWK is lazy, sleeps all day, 
And then comes out at night to play; 
He always wears his evening clothes 
And when it's daylight, home he goes. 



80 




BIRD CHILDI^EN 







B 



ARN SWALLOW is a graceful thing, 
Catches his food upon the wing; 
Perhaps that's why he is so fond 
Of skimming lightly o 'er the pond. 



81 



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03 BIRD CHILDREN 



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AUGHING GULL seems free from care, 
He's always laughing everywhere; 
He never tells what it's about 
And no one yet has found it out. 



82 



/43 BIRD CHILDREN }^ 




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iTARLING 'S a pretty little dear, 
He lives in Europe, too, we hear; 
The folks in Ireland, so we're told. 
Think that he 's worth his weight in gold. 



83 



/3^ BIRD CHILDREN 







I AID busy little JENNY WREN: 
" I like to live where there are men; 
I come each year to the same place 
So I can see some friendly face." 



84 



® BIRD CHILDREN f^ 




M 



OURNING DOVE is very sweet, 
She likes nice grains and seeds to eat; 
In her soft voice she calls: "Coo, coo," 
Which means in Dove talk, " T love you/' 



85 






a? BIRD CHILDREN m 




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ED -SHAFTED FLICKER hops around, 
Eating the ants upon the ground; 
He builds in any hollow tree 
Where he 's as snug as snug can be. 



86 



/u^ BIRD CHILDREN 







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KEEN JAY lives in Rio Grande, 
A member of a robber band; 
He's very beautiful, but oh! 
We wish he would n't plunder sol 



87 






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OW-BIRD is lazy, sad to say, 
She lives in quite a selfish way; 
She 's neither pretty nor polite 
And never tries to do what 's right. 



88 



@ BIRD CHILDREN S 




G 



UCKOO 'S a quiet, useful bird, 
He eats the naughty worms, I 've heard, 
And from the woods he calls to you 
His simple song: — "Cuckoo, cuckoo." 



89 



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/y3 BIRD CHILDREN 







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HE SNOW BIRD said: "Let's have some fun. 
The storm is over — there 's the sun." 

He rolled and tumbled in the snow^, 
Like other little ones you know. 

{^Snonxj- Flake) 

90 



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NDER a bridge, where all day long 
The brooklet sings its happy song, 
PHOEBE BIRD builds her nest of clay 
To which she comes each year to stay. 



91 



@ BIRD CHILDREN S 




CARLET FLAMINGO said: "Just think! 
I really thought this gown was pink, 
But when you see it in this light, 
It's red — I fear it's rather bright." 



92 



>@ BIRD CHILDREN 



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ERE is old MR. PELICAN, 
He is a famous fisherman; 
Said he: " I do not mind wet feet 
If I catch fish enough to eat." 



93 



03 BIRD CHILDREN _„ 




lUFFIN walks better than he flies, 
He has red feet and queer white eyes; 
He's such a funny little fellow 
With his great beak of red and yellow. 

{Sea Parrot) 

94 



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TYRE BIRD 'S an Australian child, 
"■-^ She lives in lonely places wild, 

And builds upon the rocky ground 
The queerest nest which can be found. 



95 



INDEX 



// 



Albatross 


61 


Magpie 






Anaerican Redstart 


54 


Mallard Duck 






Baltimore Oriole 


29 


Meadow Lark 






Barn Owl .... 


57 


Mocking Bird . 






Barn Swallow 


81 


Mourning Dove 






Black-Bird 


49 


Night Hawk 






Blue Heron 


35 


Nightingale 






Blue Jay .... 


70 


Orchard Oriole . 






Bluebird .... 


55 


Ostrich 






Bob-o-Link 


36 


Parrakeet {Red Faced Lo-ve I 


?/></) 


Brown Thrasher 


46 


Partridge {Ruffed Grouse) 




Canary Bird 


27 


Peacock 




Cardinal Bird 


33 


Pelican 




Cassowary .... 


58 


Penguin 




Catbird .... 


52 


Phoebe Bird 




Chickadee .... 


32 


Puffin 




Cockatoo .... 


68 


Purple Martin 




Cow-Bird .... 


88 


Quail 




Crested Flycatcher 


78 


Red Paradise Bird 




Crow 


31 


Red-Shafted Flicker . 




Cuckoo .... 


89 


Robin 




Duckling .... 


16 


Rook .... 




Eave Swallow 


73 


Rooster 




Golden Eagle 


38 


Roseate Spoonbill 




Golden Pheasant 


20 


Ruby-Throated Humming 


Bird . 


Goldfinch .... 


47 


Scarlet Flamingo 




Goose .... 


15 


Scarlet Ibis . 




Gosling .... 
Gray Parrot 

Green Jay .... 
Guinea Hen 

Hen 

Indigo Bunting . 
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker . 


14 
69 
87 
13 
12 
37 
79 


Screech Owl 

Sea Dove 

Snow Bird {Srio-zv Flake) 

Snow Goose 

Snowy Heron 

Sparrow 

Starling 

Stork .... 




Jenny Wren 

King Bird .... 

King Fisher 

Laughing Gull . 


84 
51 
45 
82 


Stormy Petrel 

Swan .... 

Turkey 

Turkey Buzzard 




Least Sandpiper . 


66 


Vermilion Flycatcher 




Long-Billed Curlew 


42 


Whip-Poor-WiU 




Loon ..... 


75 


Wood-Pecker 




Lyre Bird .... 


95 


Yellow Warbler 







